Choosing to Let Go of Social Media? Eek!

So, I have a confession to make . . . I spend entirely too much time on social media.

It has become this strange habit of picking up my phone every few minutes to check it—Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. (Instagram! My happy place to watch dog videos)

I’ve noticed over this past year it has become more constant, and I’m not sure why. Anxiety, I guess. The economy tanking, the constant checking for news, it’s a crazy year, and the temptation to keep up with what’s going on has kept me checking in all day. I’ve noticed my attention span getting shorter this year, and that has been frustrating when trying to read a book. My mind wanders off after a few paragraphs.

And then the other day, I decided I’d had enough. Just like my previous addiction to smoking (I quit years ago), it was that constant need for instant gratification and I recognized the same thing going on when I picked up my phone.

It’s exhausting!

And, it’s actually causing the anxiety I’ve been experiencing.

My daughter and I had a deep discussion over the weekend about our writing projects and how we both have been experiencing frustration, lack of motivation, anxiety, and being stuck (writer’s block).

We aren’t reading books as much as we want, we aren’t finishing our writing projects, (I have 2 books almost ready to publish and keep procrastinating!) and we definitely aren’t getting outside as much as we used to.

I asked her, “how did you get so much written when you worked a full time job while we were homeschooling?”

She said, “I had no internet!!!”

I said, “yep, we need to make some changes.”

So, we decided we would cut down on social media and the game apps. And the next day, I had an email from Amazon recommending new books, and Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, was the first one listed!

I read through the first part of the sample, and the reviews and immediately ordered it. “We need this,” I told my daughter.

It came in today and I read the first several pages.

In the forward, Cal writes:

. . . “aggressive action is needed to fundamentally transform your relationship with technology. The digital declutter provides this aggressive action. This process requires you to step away from optional online activities for 30 days. During this period, you’ll wean yourself from the cycles of addiction that many digital tools can instill, and begin to rediscover the analog activities that provide you deeper satisfaction. You’ll take walks, talk to friends in person, engage your community, read books, and stare at the clouds. Most importantly, the declutter gives you the space to refine your understanding of the things you value most. At the end of the 30 days, you will then add back a small number of carefully chosen online activities that you believe will provide massive benefit to these things you value. Going forward, you’ll do your best to make these intentional activities the core of your online life—leaving behind most of the other distracting behaviors that used to fragment your time and snare your attention . . .”  ~ ~ Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

Can I go without social media for 30 days?

I’m going to try. I’ll probably still check in once a day (news, messages), but now instead of picking up the phone, I’m going to pick up a book and keep reading.

I’ve added 2 of Cal’s videos to this post on why to Quit Social Media and How to Read 5 Books a Month.

I think I can do it! I’ll update you with future blog posts on how my daughter and I are doing and what changes happen. I plan on journaling my way through these next 30 days.

How about you? Are you addicted to social media or games or other distracting things on your phone? Or do you have self-discipline when it comes to that? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.